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Ilminster Town Council defended over flooding claims

FLOODING in Ilminster is an issue which is not being ignored, according to county councillor Linda Vijeh.

Cllr Vijeh said she was disappointed to hear rumours that the town council does not care about the constant flooding in the town.

She said: “I am often, I believe, rightly critical of the town council, but on this occasion I find myself backing its members in full.

“Having trawled through my correspondence I note that as far back as early 2012 the town council has been very proactive in listening to residents over the issue of flooding, and gathering data to back up their case for both action and funding.

“In recent months I’ve been contacted on an almost weekly basis by the town council in relation to flood prevention measures for the town, and on my part I constantly seek action from highways.

“I know also that members of the town council have personally assisted local residents during instances of flooding.

“Until the serious situation on the Somerset Levels had been stabilised it was no comfort to Ilminster residents that county staff’s time and attention were diverted elsewhere.

“However, as of today I can confirm that at last the drains at Knott Oak, Townsend, have been jetted, and it’s expected that this will prevent further flooding in this area.

“I appreciate how frustrating it must be for those affected by flooding and will continue to work with the town council to do all I can to assist.

“The town council is not perfect, but I believe it has done its best in this instance.”

Comments

highwayhell
7:52pm Wed 16 Jul 14

I am sure the Town Council does all it can within its powers to try and get action done to alleviate some of the flooding issues in the town. The obstacle is the county council of which Linda Vijeh is a member of. Despite numerous reports of the issues at Home Farm way, Station Rd over the past 2 years which floods across the road whenever there is a shower, nothing has been done to resolve it. Along with the farce that has been the beacon, its about time the County Councillors in South Somerset stood up and demand some investment in our roads instead of all the money being spent in Taunton Deane.

I am sure the Town Council does all it can within its powers to try and get action done to alleviate some of the flooding issues in the town. The obstacle is the county council of which Linda Vijeh is a member of. Despite numerous reports of the issues at Home Farm way, Station Rd over the past 2 years which floods across the road whenever there is a shower, nothing has been done to resolve it. Along with the farce that has been the beacon, its about time the County Councillors in South Somerset stood up and demand some investment in our roads instead of all the money being spent in Taunton Deane.highwayhell

I am sure the Town Council does all it can within its powers to try and get action done to alleviate some of the flooding issues in the town. The obstacle is the county council of which Linda Vijeh is a member of. Despite numerous reports of the issues at Home Farm way, Station Rd over the past 2 years which floods across the road whenever there is a shower, nothing has been done to resolve it. Along with the farce that has been the beacon, its about time the County Councillors in South Somerset stood up and demand some investment in our roads instead of all the money being spent in Taunton Deane.

Score: 9

orchardman
10:38pm Wed 16 Jul 14

If 'highwayhell' was watching the BBC local news the other night, he would have seen an item relating to the problem affecting the Beacon, and it spoke to some of those living in the affected area who said how cracks have appeared in their boundary walls, making those properties virtually unsaleable at this moment in time. Of course the road could be re-opened, but should it slide down the hill together with the gardens of adjacent properties at a later date, will it still be a farce?. An inconvenience, yes, but until resolved, a necessary one. As for the flooding in Station Road, this is caused by a poor road camber, not helped by all the large lorries using that stretch of the road, both passing through and accessing the adjacent businesses, and poor/ badly maintained drainage that can't cope with the run off from those industrial areas.

If 'highwayhell' was watching the BBC local news the other night, he would have seen an item relating to the problem affecting the Beacon, and it spoke to some of those living in the affected area who said how cracks have appeared in their boundary walls, making those properties virtually unsaleable at this moment in time. Of course the road could be re-opened, but should it slide down the hill together with the gardens of adjacent properties at a later date, will it still be a farce?. An inconvenience, yes, but until resolved, a necessary one. As for the flooding in Station Road, this is caused by a poor road camber, not helped by all the large lorries using that stretch of the road, both passing through and accessing the adjacent businesses, and poor/ badly maintained drainage that can't cope with the run off from those industrial areas.orchardman

If 'highwayhell' was watching the BBC local news the other night, he would have seen an item relating to the problem affecting the Beacon, and it spoke to some of those living in the affected area who said how cracks have appeared in their boundary walls, making those properties virtually unsaleable at this moment in time. Of course the road could be re-opened, but should it slide down the hill together with the gardens of adjacent properties at a later date, will it still be a farce?. An inconvenience, yes, but until resolved, a necessary one. As for the flooding in Station Road, this is caused by a poor road camber, not helped by all the large lorries using that stretch of the road, both passing through and accessing the adjacent businesses, and poor/ badly maintained drainage that can't cope with the run off from those industrial areas.

Score: -6

keepcalmandbeathe
9:53am Thu 17 Jul 14

Orchardman you seem very well informed, perhaps you should stand as County Councillor! I agree with "highwayhell" about the beacon whilst there is huge concern over what is going on in that area the point is it has taken the Council nearly 6 months to start any proper investigations into what is happenning there. something that was mentioned in the Points West news report. Of course until all the facts are known it would be foolish to reopen the road.
With regard to the flooding at station road. it is obvious to anyone that it has nothing to do with the camber of the road. The problem is that the drains cannot take the water away quick enough. The water builds up around the drains and once the rain has stopped it slowly seeps away. Something that has been confirmed by highways inspectors. and as for the comment about poor/badly maintained drainage well surely that is down to county council a point that was being made previously.

Orchardman you seem very well informed, perhaps you should stand as County Councillor! I agree with "highwayhell" about the beacon whilst there is huge concern over what is going on in that area the point is it has taken the Council nearly 6 months to start any proper investigations into what is happenning there. something that was mentioned in the Points West news report. Of course until all the facts are known it would be foolish to reopen the road.
With regard to the flooding at station road. it is obvious to anyone that it has nothing to do with the camber of the road. The problem is that the drains cannot take the water away quick enough. The water builds up around the drains and once the rain has stopped it slowly seeps away. Something that has been confirmed by highways inspectors. and as for the comment about poor/badly maintained drainage well surely that is down to county council a point that was being made previously.keepcalmandbeathe

Orchardman you seem very well informed, perhaps you should stand as County Councillor! I agree with "highwayhell" about the beacon whilst there is huge concern over what is going on in that area the point is it has taken the Council nearly 6 months to start any proper investigations into what is happenning there. something that was mentioned in the Points West news report. Of course until all the facts are known it would be foolish to reopen the road.
With regard to the flooding at station road. it is obvious to anyone that it has nothing to do with the camber of the road. The problem is that the drains cannot take the water away quick enough. The water builds up around the drains and once the rain has stopped it slowly seeps away. Something that has been confirmed by highways inspectors. and as for the comment about poor/badly maintained drainage well surely that is down to county council a point that was being made previously.

Score: 7

highwayhell
9:29pm Thu 17 Jul 14

If "orchardman" actually read my post you will see I made no mention of opening the road at the Beacon. The reference was picked up correctly by "keepcalmandbreahe". If the council had been more active in investigating the landslip when it happened instead of waiting nearly 6 months maybe some of the stress and worry the residence have suffered could have been eased. It is obvious that the road cannot open until it is safe to do so, but the fact is, the council have been dragging their heals. As they are with sorting out the obstructed drainage in station road. The previous post is quite right about the water not draining away quickly enough, it has nothing to do with the camber of the road. Perhaps CCTV of the drains will show something because gully emptying certainly isn't helping.

If "orchardman" actually read my post you will see I made no mention of opening the road at the Beacon. The reference was picked up correctly by "keepcalmandbreahe". If the council had been more active in investigating the landslip when it happened instead of waiting nearly 6 months maybe some of the stress and worry the residence have suffered could have been eased. It is obvious that the road cannot open until it is safe to do so, but the fact is, the council have been dragging their heals. As they are with sorting out the obstructed drainage in station road. The previous post is quite right about the water not draining away quickly enough, it has nothing to do with the camber of the road. Perhaps CCTV of the drains will show something because gully emptying certainly isn't helping.highwayhell

If "orchardman" actually read my post you will see I made no mention of opening the road at the Beacon. The reference was picked up correctly by "keepcalmandbreahe". If the council had been more active in investigating the landslip when it happened instead of waiting nearly 6 months maybe some of the stress and worry the residence have suffered could have been eased. It is obvious that the road cannot open until it is safe to do so, but the fact is, the council have been dragging their heals. As they are with sorting out the obstructed drainage in station road. The previous post is quite right about the water not draining away quickly enough, it has nothing to do with the camber of the road. Perhaps CCTV of the drains will show something because gully emptying certainly isn't helping.

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